Why an NC-17 Rating for Fifty Shades is Unlikely

By
Natasha Burton

Jan 10, 2013

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We got majorly excited this week when screenwriter Kelly Marcel said that she expected her adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey to be strictly for adult eyes only. But, just after her proclamation that the film would get the NC-17 treatment, Universal, the studio producing the film, crushed our super-hot-sex-scene-dreams by releasing this statement: "A screenplay has not yet been written, a rating has not been designated, and we have no further comment." Okay, then.

So, we did some research and talked to a few movie industry insiders—and they sadly confirmed what we'd feared: that an adult rating for Fifty Shades is pretty unlikely. One of the main reasons is that, historically, NC-17 films tend to flop. Take stripper biopic Showgirls, which was the first NC-17 rated film to be widely-released in mainstream theaters. Even though it's considered a cult classic today, and has made more money than any other NC-17-rated film in history, it still only grossed $20 million worldwide. Yet it cost $45 million to make. Ouch.

So, why do racier movies tend to fail at the box office? Film critic Marshall Fine, who also blogs about movies at hollywoodandfine.com, says that the NC-17 rating still holds a powerful, if outdated, stigma. "The idea that a film that deals with sexuality in a serious, honest way should be somehow forbidden, which is the practical effect of an NC-17 rating, is ridiculous," he says. (We couldn't have said it better ourselves.)

Fine also explains that while those who are the most uptight about NC-17-rated films tend to be the least likely people to see them, they'll still often protest risqué movies—loudly—for ideological reasons. So, because NC-17 films make less money, and can incite backlash, movie theaters are often apprehensive about running films with the adult rating due to potential monetary and social backlash. And with a guaranteed hit like Fifty Shades, movie execs won't want to take any chances. Bummer.

But, don't give up hope for a seeing Christian Grey and Ana Steele's hottest moments together just yet: According to one Hollywood insider, who wished to remain nameless, even if the film doesn't get the adult-only rating some of us are hoping for, a saucier version of the movie—or at least some super steamy deleted scenes—will likely be available on the DVD. Here's to hoping!